Curtsey

A curtsey can be defined as being a traditional gesture of greeting, in
which the woman bends her knees whilst bowing her head. In essence, the
female equivalent of male bowing in Western cultures. In sixteenth and
seventeenth century France the curtsey was used as a basic movement of
female reverence, and developed a number of variations during it's use
which indicated the level of reverence shown to those of senior social
rank (it's flamboyance only restricted by the amount of movement the
current fashion in costume allowed.)

In it's most basic form the lady slid back on the instep of the right
foot pressing the instep to the ground, behind and slightly to the left
of the left leg. The instep of the sliding foot took the weight and the
lady gradually sank down sitting on the bent right leg (arms falling to
the side with the head lowered.) The lady then rose with her weight on
the left foot since this foot did not move during the entire sequence of
the curtsey.

A more formal variant of this more traditional curtsey involved the
woman bending the knees outwards rather than straight forward (often
sweeping one foot behind her whilst holding her skirt out from the body
to show still greater deference.)

On entering a room the curtsey en avant was used and on leaving the
curtsey en arrière was more appropriate. A compliment in conversation
might also be acknowledged with a curtsey en arrière.

In walking, however, the curtsey en passant was made since this curtsey
can be repeated to many different individuals in a group or receiving line.

In England, according to Victorian dance etiquette, a woman curtsied
before beginning a dance (and it is common still for female dancers to
curtsey at the end of a performance to show gratitude and
acknowledgement of applause from the audience.) Throughout the
nineteenth century some female domestic workers also retained the
curtsey for use in front of their employers. But, generally, it seems
the curtsey was retained only as a show of deference to adults by young
girls and by adult women towards members of the Royal family.

In recent years even this tradition has diminished. In 2003, at the
request of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Female tennis players were no
longer required to curtsey to the Royal family when walking onto or
leaving Centre Court (although they are still required to do so if Queen
Elizabeth II or Prince Charles is in the box.)

Emily Post, in 1922, was still writing of "little girls" curtseying in
deference to visitors at afternoon tea and of adult ladies curtseying
deeply as they are received at Court by the Queen.